Business Opportunitieshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz
The original blog about business opportunities and business ideas for small business entrepreneursFri, 16 Feb 2018 03:11:47 +0000en-UShourly1http://www.business-opportunities.biz/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/bizopps.jpgBusiness Opportunitieshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz
3232Mortgage Protection Insurance: What You Need to Know Nowhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/14/mortgage-protection-insurance/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 04:04:02 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189921For many homeowners, one of their greatest fears is a missed mortgage payment, and for good reason. That first missed payment could begin the slippery slope toward repossession. No one wants to think about the loss of his or her home as a real possibility. Fortunately, mortgage protection insurance can help people avoid this possibility, creating a safety net that may turn out to be very necessary at some point. And if you operate a small business out of your home, mortgage protection insurance could be even more important for you. Not only will it allow you to protect your home, but also it will help you to safeguard your livelihood.

For many homeowners, one of their greatest fears is a missed mortgage payment, and for good reason. That first missed payment could begin the slippery slope toward repossession. No one wants to think about the loss of his or her home as a real possibility. Fortunately, mortgage protection insurance can help people avoid this possibility, creating a safety net that may turn out to be very necessary at some point.

And if you operate a small business out of your home, mortgage protection insurance could be even more important for you. Not only will it allow you to protect your home, but also it will help you to safeguard your livelihood.

What Is It?

Mortgage protection insurance helps homeowners repay their mortgages if they can no longer make them. This might occur if a long-term illness becomes an issue. It might also happen if an accident keeps you from working, or your income takes a serious hit, putting your home at risk. The typical policy can cover a mortgage payment for up to two years, and it offers up to 65% of the policy owner’s income.

Three Main Types

The first type is unemployment. If you should lose your job, and you are registered with the government as unemployed, your mortgage protection policy would cover you in that instance.

The second type is accident and sickness only. In these cases, you will need to have been diagnosed with a long-term illness or you will need to have been in a serious accident. You will have to have certification from a doctor in both instances before you can claim this is the case.

The final type protects you against accident, sickness, and in the case of unemployment.

The Fine Print

There are a number of cases where your mortgage protection plan might not cover you. For example, in cases where you take voluntary leave from your employment, you won’t qualify. Likewise, in the event you deliberately injured yourself, you can’t claim on the policy. Medical conditions that existed before you took the policy out, too, often aren’t covered.

Typically, you can get coverage on these policies as long as you are at least 18 years old. Likewise, you can apply until you are 65. However, no matter what your age, you have to work at least 16 hours a week. Those who work on a temporary basis may not qualify, but if you are self-employed, you might still qualify.

Is It Expensive?

One reason many people don’t consider this type of coverage is because they’re worried it might cost more than they feel they can afford. Fortunately, it’s a fairly affordable product that may be the perfect way to meet your needs. On average, someone who is 30 years old will pay less than £12 per month. The older you are, though, the more you need to pay. However, even the average 50-year-old will only pay £27 per month.

It’s a Small Price to Pay for Peace of Mind

When it comes to mortgage protection insurance, what you’re really paying for is peace of mind. It’s the perfect way to cover your biggest investment should something serious happen and you cannot make your payments. Your policy is renewable once a year, and it’s certainly worth it to give it a try. Learn more about this essential type of insurance now.

]]>Why You Should Hire a Tutor to Help You with Writing Online Assignmentshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/14/hire-tutor-online-assignments/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 04:01:21 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189931Are you going to school in order to learn more about the world of business? If so, there are probably times when the press of your online assignments leaves you feeling overwhelmed. As a business owner as well as a student, you are exposed to an enormous amount of data on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, from time to time, you could find yourself faced with the impossible task of trying to absorb more than you can possibly take in. At those times, a professional tutor can be a great help. After all, you still have a business to run as well as classwork to complete. Why not do yourself a favor and ask for a little assistance? Below, we discuss some of the benefits you'll enjoy by contracting with a tutor to help you.

]]>Why You Should Hire a Tutor to Help You with Writing Online Assignments

Are you going to school in order to learn more about the world of business? If so, there are probably times when the press of your online assignments leaves you feeling overwhelmed.

As a business owner as well as a student, you are exposed to an enormous amount of data on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, from time to time, you could find yourself faced with the impossible task of trying to absorb more than you can possibly take in.

At those times, a professional tutor can be a great help. After all, you still have a business to run as well as classwork to complete. Why not do yourself a favor and ask for a little assistance? Below, we discuss some of the benefits you’ll enjoy by contracting with a tutor to help you.

Appropriate Solutions and Excellent Grades

A tutor can guide you toward the solutions your online assignment requests of you. Also, allowing a professional service to help you with your assignment can help you to earn a better grade than you would have otherwise.

More Free Time

A professional tutor can help you to complete your online assignments faster, freeing your time for taking care of your small business or spending time on hobbies or with friends and family.

Templates for Future Assignments

Your professional tutor will guide you toward preparing your online assignments in such a way as to leave you with templates upon which you can base future schoolwork.

Improved Skills

Your professional tutor will help you to improve your skills. Additionally, you’ll gain a greater understanding of your online assignments, which will help you in the future.

Meeting Deadlines

Instead of struggling to finish assignments at the very last minute, hire a professional tutor well ahead of the deadline. In this way, you’ll always be able to turn in your online assignments on time.

Preparation for Exams and Tests

A professional tutor can help you to prepare for exams and tests.

24/7 Helpline

A good professional tutoring service will offer an online helpline to assist you every day of the week, at any hour of the day or night. If you find yourself in difficulty with an assignment, just call. With professional assignment help, you’ll be able to finish your online assignments on time.

Is Homework Overrated as a Tool for Learning?

However, there are some who would argue that too much homework defeats the very purpose for which it is given. When students feel continuously stressed by the demands of excessive homework assignments, they miss out on times with friends and family and often neglect their health.

Besides, experts recommend that students also engage in extracurricular activities as well as activities inside the classroom. Doing so provides students with a well rounded education, giving them chances to learn new things and explore their interests.

How to Choose a Professional Tutor

If you decide you want to engage the services of a professional tutor to help you learn more from your classes and make better grades, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Review any comments left on the company’s website about their services. Other students’ comments will give you a basic idea about the faculty and their qualifications.

If possible, personally meet the faculty and inquire about their experience and qualifications.

Ask for the phone numbers of other students who have previously used the professional’s services, then call those customers directly. You’ll want to know as much as possible about the tutor’s interactions with these former students, as well as how well the tutor met deadlines and the quality of their work.

Find out as much as you can about client support. A good professional tutoring service will provide a readily available client support system.

Clearly understand the charges, terms and conditions of a professional tutoring service before you hire them.

Finally

If you’re running a business and going to school, too, you have multiple demands on your time. Hiring a professional tutor to assist you with online assignments can help you to do better with your schoolwork and to absorb the classroom material that will serve you best in the long run.

]]>Put Your Life Insurance Knowledge to the Test with Health I.Q.http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/13/life-insurance-knowledge-test/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:20:03 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189880If you're like many Americans, your life insurance knowledge likely includes the fact that life insurance is a safety net. You understand, in other words, that it helps protect your loved ones from financial hardship if the unthinkable should happen to you. If you're a small-business owner, your life insurance knowledge may even include the understanding that life insurance is especially important for you and your family. But how much do you actually know about life insurance? Seven out of 10 Americans quizzed by the Life Insurance and Market Research Association, or LIMRA, failed a 10-question basic life insurance knowledge test. This lack of understanding may explain why 37.5 million Americans have no life insurance. As a matter of fact, Americans are under-insured in this category by roughly $12 trillion.

If you’re like many Americans, your life insurance knowledge likely includes the fact that life insurance is a safety net. You understand, in other words, that it helps protect your loved ones from financial hardship if the unthinkable should happen to you.

If you’re a small-business owner, your life insurance knowledge may even include the understanding that life insurance is especially important for you and your family.

Test Your Knowledge

You can test your own life insurance knowledge with Health I.Q.’s Life Insurance Policy Basics quiz. The multiple-choice format makes answering each question easy. Simply make your best guess and read the feedback you receive carefully.

The website will either congratulate you on your knowledge or you’ll get to improve your life insurance knowledge. Either way, it’s a win for you. The Health I.Q. site will also tell you how many other Americans got each question right or wrong. In this way, you can see how your knowledge compares with that of others.

If you get a high score, well done. Hopefully, you also have the best policy for your family. If there’s room for improvement, you won’t find a better time to start learning more than right now.

A Brief History of Life Insurance

The earliest known form of life insurance appeared in about 100 BC, when a Roman military leader established a burial club among his troops. Members of the club paid for funeral expenses of other members who died unexpectedly.

After the fall of Rome, the practice disappeared for several centuries. It reemerged in fledgling form in the late seventeenth century among aficionados of Edward Lloyd’s Coffee House in London. Eventually, a small group of professional underwriters among this group established Lloyd’s of London.

The concept migrated to the American colonies during the eighteenth century. There it materialized as a fund for Presbyterian ministers to benefit their wives and children. The life insurance industry waxed and waned in concert with economic booms and busts in the United States over the next century, peaking during the boom years of post-World War II. During the 1970’s, 72 percent of adult Americans were covered by some type of life insurance policy.

More recently, however, the life insurance industry has fallen on leaner times. In 2010, for instance, less than half of American households had any life insurance coverage at all.

]]>How to Take Your Business to New Heights of Success in 2018http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/13/business-success-2018/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:18:59 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189894Your professionalism shows up in the services and products you offer to your customers. And ultimately, it is your professionalism that will lead to your business's success. If you have committed to making 2018 the year in which you take your business to new heights of success, we have a few recommended strategies for you here.

Have a Written Marketing Plan

Do you think you can successfully market your business on the fly? Think again. Only a well-thought-out and written marketing plan will lead you to success. While marketing is a moving target, an ever-changing, creative field, you’ll have a much better chance of succeeding with a written plan.

Make Adjustments as Required

On the other hand, don’t be married to your marketing plan. Get to know your clients and customers and allow your growing knowledge about them to help you improve your communications with them as time goes on.

Track Everything That Involves Numbers

Keep complete and accurate records of every transaction that occurs in your business. This includes payments to vendors and creditors, salaries for your employees, and day-to-day expenses. In addition, plan your spending by creating a realistic budget and sticking to it as well as you can—despite the inevitable occasional setback.

Consult a Stub Maker

You don’t need expensive software to create pay stubs for your employees. Check stub makers have the expertise to give your pay stubs a professional look. Plus, recording transactions—including payroll transactions—will be convenient, easy and quick. That’s because you can do it all online.

Delegate Tasks

Trust your team enough to delegate tasks to them. After all, as your business grows, you can hardly expect to be able to do everything yourself.

Moreover, a good manager directs and supports every individual on his or her staff. Additionally, aim to create a sense of teamwork among your employees. This will make the work easier for everyone, including you.

Build Your Social Media Presence

A strong social media presence will help your business to reach more people in a short time. Consequently, social media is a very cost-effective marketing solution.

That’s because social media platforms bring people together from all over the world, giving you a truly global market.

Keep Your Online Presence Up to Date

Once you have established your online presence on your chosen social media sites, your website, and your blog, make sure to keep content fresh and lively. That’s because one of the quickest ways to lose followers is to offer only stale content. Therefore, if you need to, hire content specialists to help you keep things current.

Make Today Your Best Day Ever

If you have a successful day today, tomorrow has a chance to be even better—for you personally as well as for your business.

Therefore, make this your motto every day: I choose to make today the best day of my life.

Living in this way will do more to help you be successful than almost anything else you can do. As an added bonus, when you live your best day every day, you’ll inspire others to do the same.

]]>Tips to Help You with Growing Your Startup in 2018http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/13/grow-startup-2018/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:16:22 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189865If 2017 saw you finally launch the startup of your dreams, you have probably spent recent months working on fine-tuning your processes, getting as many customers as possible, and sorting out your finances. However, it’s important to think about ways to keep growing your venture, so you can start to achieve your goals ASAP. To help you do this, read on for tips you can follow today and over the year.

If 2017 saw you finally launch the startup of your dreams, you have probably spent recent months working on fine-tuning your processes, getting as many customers as possible, and sorting out your finances. However, it’s important to think about ways to keep growing your venture, so you can start to achieve your goals ASAP. To help you do this, read on for tips you can follow today and over the year.

Better Understand Who You’re Targeting

One of the first steps you should take is to think about, and better understand, who it is you’re actually targeting with your products or services. It’s not enough to say your wares are designed for “women with children” or “busy CEOs,” for instance. You need to have a very specific type person in mind, an ideal customer.

Once you’re clear on this shopper, it’s time to learn as much as you can about their typical lifestyle and behavior. Conduct research (e.g. read reports, articles, books, surveys) and discover what you can about them.

Find out things such as:

How, when, and where they shop

What their key needs and wants are

How they like to communicate and receive customer support

What problems they need solved or benefits they’re looking for

The price point they prefer

Which marketing avenues will best reach them

Put Together a Plan of Attack

Next, while some growth occurs naturally as your startup ages, significant growth won’t happen unless you devise a plan of attack to create it. You must be proactive. Decide which areas you want to focus on each month, quarter, and year to move your venture forward.

It pays to have a detailed business plan you can refer to again and again. This will remind you of your business vision, mission, and other goals. This ensures you don’t work on things which won’t help you get the results you’re after.

Your plan should cover where you want your startup to be in 12 months, 2 years, 5 years, and beyond. Additionally, it should include a marketing strategy for the year, broken down into months. It needs to contain information as well on things like your organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Also include likely financial projections, staff requirements, and sales processes.

Use your business plan to help you work backward. For example, think about what you want to have achieved in a year’s time. Then decide exactly what you need to do to make that happen. Plan out, step by step, what you must do each month to achieve these goals. Further, decide on the necessary order of each task.

Concentrate More on the Sales Process

Next, realize that if you want to grow your business, you must commit to spending more time on sales. One of the main reasons why so many ventures stall is that their owners aren’t concentrating on the sales process anywhere near enough. While you might find this area challenging, it’s something you need to do if you want to reach your goals. This is true even if you feel like you’re not a born salesperson, or you don’t think you should “sell” people on your products or services.

Working on sales isn’t about trying to do the hard sell and make people buy things they don’t want, though. It’s about making sure current and potential clients know exactly what you have to offer. Additionally, it’s about letting potential clients know how best to use products or services. Basically, sales is about communicating the benefits of your wares and how they can improve your customers’ lives.

Selling successfully involves showing customers you’re there to help, and then following up regularly, even after the sale, to ensure they’re satisfied and getting the most benefit possible out of their purchases.

When you’re in the startup phase of business, try to devote at least 80 percent of your day to sales-related tasks. This will enable you to gain a foothold in the market rather than just be another number. Once your business becomes more established, you can reduce time you spend on specific sales processes and other direct customer interactions to around 30 percent of your day.

Learn New Things

Lastly, keep in mind that to grow a venture, you must grow yourself. That is, you should continually learn new things. When you’re open to cultivating your skill set, broadening your knowledge base, and gaining more experience, you will be much better placed to identify exciting new opportunities, or potential threats that could halt growth in its track.

Gaining new skills can also mean you’re better able to manage finances, develop marketing strategies, negotiate with suppliers, and decide on the right people to surround yourself with to help grow the business, just to name a few things.

There are all sorts of different ways to learn. You might decide to get an in-depth education by enrolling in an online MBA program in California or a data science course in New York City, for instance. Or you could complete some specialized training in areas where you’re lacking. Also, attend workshops and events and become a member of business clubs and relevant associations. Moreover, as a startup owner, be sure to read books, blogs, magazines, reports, and white papers that are relevant to your business and your industry.

]]>8 Ways to Use Instagram to Promote Your Businesshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/13/instagram-promote-business/
Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:14:49 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189853Instagram is an attractive marketing platform for most businesses. It has the highest engagement rates of any social network. However, it can be a struggle finding your footing at first. Sometimes spreading awareness and gaining real Instagram followers is a slow, trial-and-error process. Building an Instagram following doesn’t have to be difficult, though. This article will go over 8 ways that you can successfully promote your business on that platform.

1. Deliver High-Quality Content

If there’s a simple truth to Instagram, it’s this: You need to put effort into your content in order to achieve Instagram growth.

Instagram is a visually driven platform. There is an endless stream of talented users posting gorgeous, eye-catching photos and videos on a daily basis. So if you put up an ugly snapshot with poor framing and dim lighting, then it’s likely going to get skipped over.

Consider it a competitive environment. Always strive to give your viewers the best content you can create. Invest in making your images look as professional as possible.

2. Post on a Regular Basis

Drawing attention to your account can be a difficult endeavor. That’s why tools like ViralRace, which boosts your posts with real likes, are becoming increasingly popular among businesses on Instagram.

Another way you can get noticed is by maintaining a high level of visibility. In other words, you should post more often. While posting at least once a day would be good, publishing multiple times throughout the day would be ideal.

While you’re at it, you should also try to develop a schedule. Posting consistently at peak hours will help you reach your target audience better.

3. Socialize and Get Involved in Communities

Something that too many businesses forget is that Instagram is a primarily meant for socializing and connecting with others. It’s a social network, after all.

Engage with your audience in meaningful ways. Follow other users, like their posts, and leave comments whenever you can. You could even strike up a conversation if you want to. Showing sincere interest in others will gain their trust and show them that your business actually cares.

Try asking questions in the captions of your posts. Instagram users usually love to share their opinions with you.

4. Optimize Your Profile

You always want to make a great first impression. On Instagram, it can be enough to make a viewer decide if they want to follow you or move on with their browsing.

Take a look at your profile page. Think about what the different elements on it communicate about your brand. Everything should come together to convey its image in a clear and cohesive manner.

Pick a profile picture that not only represents your business, but also scales down well, too. Write a bio that’s informative, yet full of personality. Include a link in the bio to your website or store.

Finally, put care into the presentation of your feed. You can add some extra visual flair to your page with how your posts are arranged and ordered.

5. Use Hashtags and Make Your Own

If you want to be discovered on Instagram, you need to use hashtags. Instagram’s search function is based around the tags and locations that people attach to their posts.

There are plenty of pre-existing hashtags that you can use. You could also come up with your own branded hashtag as well. These are particularly useful when you are running a campaign, as they are easy to track and can help expand your reach.

6. Pay Attention to What’s Trending

One of the best ways to gain traction on any social network is to capitalize on trends and current topics. You can use this to inform your content, whether you utilize a popular aesthetic style or depict a subject that’s been getting a lot of discussion.

For example, a lot of brands like to use new memes right as they’re blowing up. Additionally, humor is a key part of virality. Yet you should be careful before doing so. Make sure to research the meme and its connotations first. The backlash against using a controversial one can damage your reputation.

7. Hold a Contest or Giveaway

Nothing motivates viewers more than a free prize. Holding a contest or giveaway is a quick and surefire method to drive engagement.

Whatever you choose to do, you should give your entrants some requirements to participate. For instance, you could ask them to follow your account and include a branded hashtag on their submission post.

If you’re running a contest based around user-generated content, you could offer to feature the winners on your own feed. You could also create a page where people can vote on their favorite submission. This will encourage participants to share the link with friends and family.

8. Partner up with Influencers

Influencers are an important part of any brand’s internet marketing strategy. If you can tap into their built-in audience, then it could bring a great deal of attention to your business.

To find appropriate influencers for your brand, check who members of your target demographics are following. Alternatively, you could look around the Discover People section on the Explore page.

Once you’ve reached out to a receptive influencer, there are a variety of things that you could do together. You could send them products to review, or collaborate on a “takeover” where they get to decide what content you post to your feed.

Finally

Instagram, used thoughtfully and well, can be a major cornerstone in your online marketing efforts.

]]>Some Tips That Can Help You Join the Freelancing Worldhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/12/join-freelancing-world/
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 01:50:15 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189819Have you ever imagined yourself having a full-time freelancing career? Or maybe you are looking for a little extra cash on the side. No matter what your reason is, being a freelancer has its rewards. However, it also has some serious challenges. The thing with freelancing, though, is it will only reward you based on the amount of effort you put in. To help you get started with your freelancing, we’ve come up with a few tips on how to be successful as a freelancer.

Have you ever imagined yourself having a full-time freelancing career? Or maybe you are looking for a little extra cash on the side. No matter what your reason is, being a freelancer has its rewards. However, it also has some serious challenges.

One of the chief perks of freelancing is its flexibility. You can create your schedule throughout the day based on your needs. Lots of times you get to work from home. This is great for almost everyone, especially for parents of small children.

The thing with freelancing, though, is it will only reward you based on the amount of effort you put in. If you are just starting out, this is not easy. But by hunkering down and putting in time, effort and dedication, you will soon see your freelancing business start to grow.

Appreciate Yourself and Your Work

Sometimes people can get in the mindset that when they hire a freelancer, they are getting the work at the lowest price possible. But the person doing the job also needs to keep a roof over their head.

So do not be afraid to negotiate, and do not be intimidated by clients who want to pay you less than what your work is worth. That means you need to know the value of your work.

You can do this by learning more about the industry’s standards for pay. Here are some typical rates for freelancer writers to use as a guide.

Have a Designated Office Space

Office space is especially valuable if you are working from home. How do you expect to get your work done if you hang out on the couch in front of the television all day?

Set up a space that is meant to be your office. Additionally, set some boundaries around your work time. As much as possible, make it clear to family and friends that when you’re in your office space, you’re unavailable to them. This will help you to stay focused while you work.

Go to Work

It is so easy (and sometimes appealing) to not set the alarm. How lovely it would be to wake up whenever you feel like it every day of the week. But if you want to make freelancing work for you, you’re going to have to be more disciplined than that.

Treat your freelancing work just like you would treat any other full-time job. Get up, shower and dress, and be ready for your workday. This is important, because how you dress has a significant effect on how you perceive yourself. So help yourself in the long run by dressing for a successful day at work.

It almost goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Try to schedule at least one day a week off-duty. If you’re doing freelancing right, you will have earned it. What’s more, everyone needs some regular time off for their physical and emotional health. It might not always be possible, especially when you’re just starting out. However, make regular time off a priority. This will help you to continue freelancing for the long term.

Don’t Work with Just Anyone

Working with the wrong client can quickly erode the joys of freelancing. Although at the start you do not want to be too picky, you do want to have some standards about the clients you choose to work with.

Pick clients who are easy to communicate with. You want to work with clients who will clearly lay out exactly what they want from you. And you also want them to pay you on time. Don’t work with clients who are disrespectful toward you.

Additionally, if you’re meeting deadlines and turning in your best work, don’t tolerate a client who refuses to pay you on time. Let them go and move on. There is a whole world of better clients awaiting.

Get Ready for Limitless Possibilities

Once you get your foot in the door, the freelancing world opens up endless opportunities. Don’t lose hope and quit if you get a few rejections in the beginning. It’s not easy to get started as a freelancer. It takes lots of time and dedication.

However, once you find the right clients to help get your freelancing off the ground, you’ll be one of those who can honestly say they love what they do for a living.

]]>The Fundamental Components of a Car Sharing Businesshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/11/components-car-sharing-business/
Mon, 12 Feb 2018 02:30:27 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189783Car sharing is hot right now. In fact, the car sharing business is so hot that many car manufacturers are afraid that the traditional model of car ownership is about to collapse. Between 2010 and 2015, the total annual revenue for car sharing businesses doubled. Before 2024, experts believe it could increase another 34 percent to $16.5 billion. It’s safe to say that now’s a good time to get into the business of car sharing. Fortunately, running a car sharing company isn’t much different from running any other business. Here are the steps you need to start your own car sharing business.

Car sharing is hot right now. In fact, the car sharing business is so hot that many car manufacturers are afraid that the traditional model of car ownership is about to collapse.

Car sharing is a relatively new development in the U.S. As a matter of fact, most domestic car share companies claim a history of a decade or less. Nonetheless, it is quickly gaining popularity with the younger crowd. Between 2010 and 2015, the total annual revenue for car sharing businesses doubled. Before 2024, experts believe it could increase another 34 percent to $16.5 billion.

Understand the Market

You aren’t the only entrepreneur with the genius idea to capitalize on the car sharing craze. Currently, there are 27 car sharing companies operating in the United States. What’s more, others overseas are eager to move into the American market. Before you launch your own car sharing enterprise, you should probably understand how established businesses understand the question, “What is car sharing?”

Here’s a snapshot of the more successful car share companies out there:

Zipcar. The world’s largest car sharing company, and one of the most aggressive at purchasing its competitors.

Car2Go. Another major car sharing competitor, owned by German auto behemoth Daimler.

Enterprise Car Share. A long-term car rental business that has recognized the demand for short-term car sharing.

Maven. GM is hedging its bets with its own car sharing program, which is a hybrid of short- and long-term rental.

Turo. Using Airbnb’s model, Turo is a car sharing business that allows personal car owners to rent out their vehicles.

Undoubtedly, there are a few regional car share organizations available in your area. You need to understand the drivers in your market before you develop a business plan for your car share company.

﻿

Find Your Niche

Unless your market is untouched by the existing car sharing players, you will need to distinguish your new outfit from the others. One of the best ways to do this is by targeting car share users whose needs are not currently being met.

Hopefully, your market research will uncover a niche that is unaddressed. Otherwise, you can take inspiration from any of the following minor car sharing programs. These are limited to individual cities or small regions around the U.S.:

Student CarShare. This Canadian car sharing outfit operates around universities in Ontario, Canada.

FlightCar. This is a peer-to-peer car sharing business that services 11 airports.

BlueIndy. Specializing in electric cars and adding public charging stations, this Parisian company functions only in Indianapolis.

New niches appear every day. For example, many massive housing complexes in big cities are considering adding car sharing programs as amenities for their tenants. Even rural zones that were previously considered not-ideal for car sharing programs are beginning to see interest in the sharing economy. So that you can succeed, be sure to develop a strategy that allows you to avoid directly competing with established companies.

Choose Your Tech

Before you finalize your car sharing business plan, you need to acquire your tech. Technology is a necessity for car sharing. This is what makes short-term rental convenient for consumers. Car sharing programs require a fleet of vehicles as well as an armada of hardware and software to assist consumers and the back-office. At the very least, your outfit will require:

Keyless entry and ignition systems for customer access to vehicles

GPS systems for tracking vehicles

A website and mobile portal for information and transactions

A billing engine for managing accounts and payments

A fleet management tool for scheduling use and maintenance

Fortunately, you can find car sharing platforms with much of the software components built in and ready for your customization. Still, you can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,700 per vehicle on hardware. Additionally, you’ll spend about $40 to $60 per month on software hosting and support.

Develop Your Cost Structure

There is one final component of a car sharing business: the cost structure. All businesses have expenses, but the costs incurred by car sharing can be substantial. Setting aside the initial purchasing of vehicles, maintaining a fleet is expensive. In addition to the regular expenses of running any business, such as employee salaries and office utilities, you will likely pay for:

Fuel

Vehicle maintenance

Cleaning

Parking

To survive these costs, you need to pass many of them on to your users. This requires you to develop a strong cost structure that consumers won’t scoff at. Typically, car shares charge monthly member fees as well as per-mile rates. You should consider what is right for your audience as you develop your cost structure.

]]>4 Essential Things That Your Business Can’t Afford Not to Havehttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/essential-things-your-business/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:23:08 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189766When you first start your business, the idea of conservative money management may seem to be something of an abstraction. It's only when you experience the negative ramifications of spending more than you earn and the resultant cash flow crises that you gradually become more cost-conscious. You may be highly motivated to run your business as cost-effectively as possible. However, there are some things that your businesses really can't afford not to have. These are things like marketing, accounting, a good location, and a business education. Let's take a closer look at why these four aspects of your business are so essential for your business growth.

When you first start your business, the idea of conservative money management may seem to be something of an abstraction. It’s only when you experience the negative ramifications of spending more than you earn and the resultant cash flow crises that you gradually become more cost-conscious.

You may be highly motivated to run your business as cost-effectively as possible. However, there are some things that your businesses really can’t afford not to have. These are things like marketing, accounting, a good location, and a business education. Let’s take a closer look at why these four aspects of your business are so essential for your business growth.

1. Marketing…

When marketing your business, it’s a mistake to only market online or only market offline. An integrated marketing approach will provide the best results. As an example, let’s look at the benefits of blogging and the benefits of attending trade shows. Let’s see how both can work well together.

When you blog, you create fresh content about your subject on an ongoing basis. This helps to establish yourself as subject matter expert in your field of interest. Once you start blogging, you will also build out bridges to the rest of the online world. You might, for example, do this by linking your blog to your social media platforms. Or you could open up a YouTube channel. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to link their blogs to a variety of ways. This improves their chances of connecting with their target audience.

…and Trade Shows

When you attend trade shows, as well as other events like conferences and fairs, you meet real people and interact with them. When people are attracted to your custom pop up tents at events, it gives you a chance to gauge their level of interest in your products or services. You’ll also gain insight on what benefits they are looking for. These live interactions give you opportunities to provide product demonstrations and to refine your customer knowledge.

On the surface of it, blogging and trade shows may not appear to have much in common. However, digging a little deeper, you can see how well they work together. Through your blog, you can announce what trade shows you will be attending. After the show, describe your experience. When you meet people at trade shows, you can tell them about your blog and introduce it as a way for them to stay in touch with you. So, by linking both online and offline methods, you will enhance your marketing efforts.

2. Accounting

It is very difficult to run an effective business if you can’t keep up with your finances and don’t have a good understanding of your financial situation.

Depending on the size of your business, you should buy accounting software so that you can do your own basic accounting. Alternatively, you can hire a part-time or full-time accountant, or outsource your work to an accounting firm.

If you are only vaguely aware of how much money is coming into your business or flowing out of it, it’s difficult to administer your business. It will be nearly impossible for you to know how much you can afford to spend to grow your business through revenue-generating activities like marketing and sales. If you don’t know your numbers, you are putting your business at risk. Furthermore, you are missing out on many potential opportunities to grow it at a faster pace.

3. Business Premises

If you have an office or a store, then the location of your business can affect the quantity and quality of walk-in traffic. If, for instance, you have an office for your insurance agency in a sleepy neighborhood, you will probably pay less rent in your isolated location. However, you will earn less income than you would if you were to have an office in a busy part of town. In the long run, you will have a more lucrative business by paying more for your location and getting many times more business.

﻿

4. Business Education

The more you know about your business, the better you will run it. For this reason, it’s important that you invest in your business education. Therefore, spend some of your hard-earned money to buy books and audio or video courses in your field. You should also take online and offline classes to deepen your business knowledge.

It’s About Balance

In closing, managing your money well is all about balance. Yes, it’s always a good idea to work within a budget. However, you also have to spend money on those aspects of your business that will stimulate business growth and enhance long-term prosperity.

]]>7 Tools to Skyrocket Your Instagram Marketinghttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/tools-skyrocket-instagram-marketing/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:21:36 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189755With the growing presence of the Internet in our lives, the demand for fresh and entertaining content is always on the rise. Businesses attempting to overcome their competitors are constantly encountering growing pressures to win over larger audiences and consistently produce intriguing content. These increased pressures call for more specialized tools. This is especially true for Instagram, which is a key platform for marketers looking to the future. Here are 7 resources designed to strengthen your Instagram marketing.

These days, businesses serious about maximizing their marketing potential are active on social media. Posting on giants like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram, they give consumers a behind-the-scenes view of their favorite brands. This increases feelings of connection between content providers and followers.

Of these major platforms, Instagram is the one that’s surging at the moment. That’s because it allows brands to easily share content and advertise to larger, ever-changing audiences.

With the growing presence of the Internet in our lives, the demand for fresh and entertaining content is always on the rise. Businesses attempting to overcome their competitors are constantly encountering growing pressures to win over larger audiences and consistently produce intriguing content.

These increased pressures call for more specialized tools. This is especially true for Instagram, which is a key platform for marketers looking to the future. Here are 7 resources designed to strengthen your Instagram marketing.

SocialDrift is the perfect tool to quickly and organically increase the number of Instagram followers. Therefore, don’t fall prey to an Instagram-followers scheme. Instead, use the machine-learning algorithms offered by SocialDrift. You will then naturally engage with prospective followers through automation.

SocialDrift comments on, likes, and follows target accounts. This engagement will encourage account owners to follow your account in return. Consequently, the platform is so effective that it is used by companies like Sprint and McDonald’s with great success.

The most effective way to increase Instagram performance is by improving follower engagement. To that end, Owlmetrics provides users with the data they need to determine what type of content will perform well with a specific audience.

It takes over 30 metrics into account. These include key data points like follower growth, engagement, hashtag activity, competitor accounts, performance on Instagram Stories and click-through traffic. In addition, the platform allows marketers to track performance in real time. In this way, they can determine if their strategy is effective.

Instagram offers a decent tool for finding users and photos. However, that’s the limit of its search engine.

On the other hand, with Picodash, the Instagram search bar is completely overhauled replaced with more advanced features. The app allows users to search for accounts and posts by specific criteria. For instance, you can search for location, time of posting and, of course, hashtags.

With Picodash, businesses can gather helpful data about their followers. They can also find shareable content and information easily. In addition, the app allows management and organization of followers across multiple accounts. As a result, Instagram is a much more powerful advertising platform.

With all the new considerations marketing teams need to keep in mind, even everyday tasks like posting pictures can seem time-consuming. However, HopperHQ simplifies the Instagram experience. That’s because it frees up precious time by allowing users to schedule predetermined times for their posts to go live.

The app supports scheduling on multiple accounts. Therefore, whole marketing teams can coordinate on a few accounts relevant to their brand. HopperHQ also offers image editing, uploading videos, saving posts for later and many other helpful features. With HopperHQ, businesses don’t have to think about when content is posted. Instead, the marketing team can spend more time brainstorming their next big ideas.

User-generated content is everywhere on the internet. It takes the form of reviews, questions, photos, videos, testimonials and more. With so much content out there, it’s a shame that brands don’t have a convenient way to incorporate their followers and their content into their marketing. With Yotpo, this is no longer a problem.

The app gathers all kinds of user-generated content. This allows businesses to analyze their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, Yotpo connects brands with users. In this way, they may discuss incorporating user content into their own marketing strategies. Businesses using Yotpo can even use the Shop Now feature on Instagram. This allows them to directly link followers to their products. Yotpo simplifies social media marketing by allowing brands to generate advertising from anywhere.

Anyone familiar with Instagram knows that its primary language is through photos. Therefore, businesses and individuals who can create visually stunning content gain more influence on the social platform. This is where apps like VSCO come in.

Offering many more resources than Instagram’s native image editor, the app allows ordinary users to make their content more visually appealing through a number of detailed editing tools. VSCO also houses a community where users can publish their most impressive snapshots. For businesses serious about their brand marketability, VSCO is the perfect resource to boost their content’s shareability.

Although Instagram has traditionally been known as a picture hub, in recent years it has also delved into the world of video. For most marketing teams, engaging photos are much easier to produce than intriguing videos. That’s where Boomerang comes in.

Boomerang allows users to create lighthearted looping videos. These can easily be posted to Instagram and shared with friends. The app’s simple approach to making video creates surprisingly captivating clips. Businesses using Boomerang can produce engaging content without overthinking the process.

]]>3 Creative Ways to Buy Wholesale Items in Bulkhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/buy-wholesale-bulk/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:47:55 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189750Whether you own a retail storefront in your local city or host a shop online, buying wholesale items in bulk has its advantages. Unless you sell your own handmade products, buying products at wholesale and selling them at a retail price is the foundation of a good business. Deciding what to buy is the most exciting aspect of owning a retail store. However, it takes skill and know-how to distinguish between what your customers want and what will just sit on the shelves. Whether you sell items based on your passions, market trends, or market needs, here are some of the most popular ways to buy low-cost products of any kind that will be the right items for your shop.

Unless you sell your own handmade products, buying products at wholesale and selling them at a retail price is the foundation of a good business. Even if you do feature your own creations in your store, you can add items to attract more customers in simple ways like buying additional wholesale items.

Deciding what to buy is the most exciting aspect of owning a retail store. However, it takes skill and know-how to distinguish between what your customers want and what will just sit on the shelves.

Whether you sell items based on your passions, market trends, or market needs, below are some of the most popular ways to buy low-cost products of any kind that will be the right items for your shop.

1. Liquidation Centers

In the past, suppliers did not have channels to sell their returned or unsold merchandise. Today, selling these items in bulk allows suppliers to reap some income on products that would otherwise sit in a warehouse. This also allows retailers to make a quick buck as well.

Liquidation centers house bulk items that retailers bid on. The highest bidder can then turn around and resell the items for a profit. For example, you can buy Walmart liquidation merchandisesuch as toys, housewares, tools, automotive, electronics, and more.

You can buy products by the pallet, or even by the truckload. Buying from liquidation centers benefits retailers because it cuts out the middleman, saves time, and is less risky since you can view everything before you bid.

2. Wholesale Online

Buying items wholesale can save the retailer a lot of money. In fact, most companies increase the discount as the customer’s order increases. This is good news for the retailer, who typically has the capital and the storage space to buy a large quantity at one time.

For instance, if you own a convenience store that offers a wide range of items, you can find discounted items in bulk to stock your shelves. For example, you’ll find items such as candy bars, personal hygiene items, and even flavored JUUL pods for vaping.

A lot of wholesalers keep in-demand items in stock, so they never run out. They are also stocked with the market’s newest items. Therefore, having a good relationship with your wholesaler will keep you in the know.

]]>Things You Need to Plan Ahead and Be Prepared Forhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/plan-ahead-be-prepared/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:46:38 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189738Life often sneaks up on us. Out of nowhere, things change, plans go flying out the window, and the life path we thought we were on switches to something else. In short, it's not easy to always be prepared for whatever life throws at us. It can seem worse if you're trying to run a business and one of life's little surprises catches you off guard. You could find it difficult to keep your business up and running when you get the wind knocked out of you. However, there are some things you can be prepared for. At least, you can plan ahead for some of the details. Here’s a list of some of the things that you can be prepared for, even if they don't fit in with your current plans for your life.

Life often sneaks up on us. Out of nowhere, things change, plans go flying out the window, and the life path we thought we were on switches to something else. In short, it’s not easy to always be prepared for whatever life throws at us.

It can seem worse if you’re trying to run a business and one of life’s little surprises catches you off guard. You can find it difficult to keep your business up and running when you get the wind knocked out of you. However, sometimes, you just can’t plan ahead for this stuff.

On the other hand, there are some things you can be prepared for. At least, you can plan ahead for some of the details. Here’s a list of some of the things that you can be prepared for, even if they don’t fit in with your current plans for your life.

Death

Nobody likes to think about death, but it happens to everyone eventually. Rather than treating the subject as taboo, we should be prepared for a few basic things in the event that we, or someone we’re close to, passes away.

For example, you and your spouse should keep a folder containing all your passwords, bank information, and the like. This way, should one of you die, the other won’t be missing critical information.

Another thing to briefly discuss with your spouse, parents, and to decide for yourself is choice of burial. You should ask your spouse of parents if they would prefer a traditional burial or cremation services. Further, you should decide that for yourself as well, and pass on the information. That way, everyone knows what the deceased would have wanted if a funeral becomes necessary.

Birth

It’s pretty common knowledge that no one wants to get pregnant accidentally. We’ll skip the talk about using safe, effective birth control, and using it intelligently for optimal effect. Instead, we’ll just assume you’re ready for this baby to be here, but not necessarily ready for him or her to arrive.

A new baby is a huge transition in any parent’s life. You’ll want to schedule classes on birthing procedure and investigate your birthing options. You’ll want to carefully plan a Target, Amazon.com, or Babies R Us Registry that has everything you need—and make sure you’re not forgetting the important stuff.

You should also invest in parenting classes. There are plenty of toddler and infant techniques that will make you a better parent. It’s not an exaggeration to say that they can save your life and your sanity. However, many parents don’t even know they exist.

In case you need any further motivation, just think of parenting classes as a way of keeping you from turning into your parents.

College

While this topic is a little anticlimactic after birth or death, college is still a huge part of life. In the same way that birth is our arrival and death is our departure, our education is our becoming.

Knowing whether or not you will attend college or pursue that education elsewhere is a huge part of planning ahead. What’s more, knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life is definitely something you should be prepared for.

]]>Meeting Your Double Bottom Line with Innovative Returns Managementhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/innovative-returns-management/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:45:59 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189731Product returns are an inevitable part of any business’s operations. However, while brick-and-mortar stores see about 10% of their sales returned, e-commerce businesses face three times that much—up to 30%. So if you operate an e-commerce business, it would behoove you to revisit your company’s returns management strategies.

Product returns are an inevitable part of any business’s operations. However, while brick-and-mortar stores see about 10% of their sales returned, e-commerce businesses face three times that much—up to 30%. So if you operate an e-commerce business, it would behoove you to revisit your company’s returns management strategies.

With such a large percentage of sales coming back, it is crucial that you manage every aspect of the returns and reversal process efficiently. Bad management will hurt the environment. What’s more, it will also hurt the profit margins of retailers and manufacturers alike.

Innovative Returns Management Strategies

The trick is to have the greatest chance of giving returned products a second life. To do that, you must track every piece of data and information for every possible “disposition outcome” at the time of the return. This is good for the environment. It’s also good for your company’s profitability.

In particular, you’ll want to keep track of the following:

Latest selling price

Condition of the item

Rolling 30- or 60-day price

Cost of every touch, move, or repair for each item

That’s a lot of information to keep track of. What’s more, a business with a small footprint probably can’t handle the multiple distribution channels and other logistics necessary and still achieve their bottom line.

Using a Third Party to Manage the Returns Process

Fortunately, innovative returns management companies, such as goTRG, have developed technology to manage retailers’ returns. These companies license their technology and facilities to retailers. In this way, retailers can manage and have final say on their returns processes.

For instance, you might utilize a third-party omni-channel supply chain company that provides an all-inclusive dashboard through which you can track all aspects of any return, including:

Reason for the return

Manufacturer

Vendor

UPC

Location

Using the Best Technologies at the Best Cost

Consider this: what if it takes $30 worth of repair to extend the life of an item that will sell for only $25? That makes no business sense. It fails to meet one crucial side of the bottom line.

In order to fully navigate an easy returns management process, you’ll need automation. Housing that technology yourself can be costly on your end. As a matter of fact, it could perhaps be too costly to meet your bottom line.

However, returns management companies allow you to use their facilities and automated technology to refurbish and repair the inventory. In this way, you can reclaim as much value as possible.

Further, automation removes handling and transportation costs. This allows workers to perform the value-additive repair processes. By being able to repair and refurbish inventory, you will better meet your environmental bottom line. And best of all, you will regain some of your profit margin as well.

]]>Choosing Among Cryptocurrencies for One That’s Right for Your Businesshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/choose-cryptocurrencies-business/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:29:18 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189695In the news in recent weeks, reports about the rising value of various forms of cryptocurrencies have been prevalent. Additionally, cryptocurrencies provide many benefits that can help a small business stand out. Chief among these is the fact that the digital coins can make transfers of currency happen in a fraction of the time it would take with credit cards or checks. In addition, the fees that attach themselves to other modes of payment are largely absent from cryptocurrencies. All of this may sound tempting for you as a business owner. Nonetheless, you still have to decide which variation is best for you.

]]>Choosing Among Cryptocurrencies for One That’s Right for Your Business

In the news in recent weeks, reports about the rising value of various forms of cryptocurrencies have been prevalent. Investors have realized that it’s a good time to hop on board this seemingly unstoppable train. Others, including many businesses, have adopted different forms of cryptocurrency as a method of buying and selling goods and services.

After all, cryptocurrencies do provide many benefits that can help a small business stand out. Chief among these is the fact that digital coins can make transfers of currency happen in a fraction of the time it would take with credit cards or checks. In addition, the fees that attach themselves to other modes of payment are largely absent from cryptocurrencies.

All of this may sound tempting for you as a business owner. However, it doesn’t mean that your decision will be easy. You may even be convinced that you’re ready to adopt cryptocurrency for your business. Nonetheless, you still have to decide which variation is best for you.

Plan Your Strategy

This is where it gets tricky. That’s because there are now hundreds of types of coins from which to choose. Some are specific to a certain purpose. However, many will work as currency. Those are the ones that will therefore be a potential choice for your business.

Parsing through it all can be confusing, however. That’s why it’s a good idea to go into the selection process with some sort of strategy for making the right decision.

Firelotto is the kind of forward-thinking business that utilizes the blockchain technology behind cryptocurrency. You can use the cryptocurrency coins known as Ethereum to participate in this digital lottery, with potentially big winnings that will be distributed right to your digital wallet.

Here are some of the ways that you can decide which cryptocurrency is the one for your business.

Customer Adoption

One of the crucial aspects of choosing the type of cryptocurrency you’re planning on using for your business is deciding which is the most compatible with what your customers use. Also, if it applies, you’ll want to choose the coin most of your vendors use. Having the right connection with these people will smooth the way for your business.

In addition, if you choose correctly, you might be able to attract some new people to your business for the first time.

Reliable Organization

Of course, you would look into the company that underlies a particular stock before you invest. And so, too, should you inspect the institution or individuals behind the type of digital coins you’re considering using.

If you can find one that seems to have a good plan in place, not just for the present time, but also for the foreseeable future, you’re on the right track.

Peer Review

An underrated but effective way of choosing among various cryptocurrencies is to see what businesses similar to yours are using. If they seem to be doing well and have adopted a particular form of coin for their own business, chances are you could do the same. At times, it’s not the worst idea to be a follower. This can be especially true in an area as unknown to many as cryptocurrencies.

A Final Thought

Make sure to take your time and proceed with caution when choosing a cryptocurrency to use in your business. You can be assured that the correct choice will have a lasting impact on your company’s financial well-being.

]]>Cisco CCNA Certification and Training: An Overviewhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/ccna-certification-training-overview/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:11:45 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189668If you're an IT professional who's looking for your next career move, consider going for a Cisco CCNA certification. That's because a Cisco CCNA certification will position you for a career in the fast-growing and lucrative field of computer networking. Employers complain of a scarcity of professionals in this sector, and global market research bears them out. What's more, if you're a CCNA-certified networking professional with an entrepreneurial bent, you're sure to find small businesses that would readily—and lucratively—contract for your services on an as-needed basis. So what are you waiting for?

If you’re an IT professional who’s looking for your next career move, consider going for a Cisco CCNA certification.

That’s because a Cisco CCNA certification will position you for a career in the fast-growing and lucrative field of computer networking. Employers complain of a scarcity of professionals in this sector, and global market research bears them out.

What’s more, if you’re a CCNA-certified networking professional with an entrepreneurial bent, you’re sure to find small businesses that would readily—and lucratively—contract for your services on an as-needed basis.

So what are you waiting for?

What Is a CCNA Certification All About?

CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. It is an associate level certification program in the field of information technology (IT). It will qualify you to install and manage medium-sized computer networks.

First offered in 1998, the original core program focused on routing and switching, and participants needed only to pass a single 75-minute exam. These days, however, the industry has evolved. Along with it, the training in that field has changed, too.

Today, there are multiple CCNA certification programs. For example, students can choose to focus on any of the following CCNA specialties:

How Does One Achieve a CCNA Credential?

In order to do well on any of the CCNA exams, follow these suggestions:

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the exam, ideally 3 to 6 months.

Equip yourself with the best possible study materials from a site such as Prepaway.com.

Study hard, and learn as much as you can about your chosen specialty.

Benefits of Having a CCNA Certification

Earning a CCNA certification is an admirable accomplishment. The study and preparation won’t be easy, and the tests are tough. However, the rewards will be worth it. Here are some of the benefits you can expect:

Impressive IT Skills

With a CCNA certification, you’ll stand out with employers when you apply for those plum jobs in computer networking.

Higher-Paying Jobs

Computer network professionals with a CCNA certification under their belt easily land higher-paying jobs. That’s because thousands of employers will be looking for candidates just like you.

A Satisfying, Long-Lasting Career

When you’re CCNA-certified, you’ll have a better chance of landing your dream job, where you will enjoy a long-lasting, satisfying career.

An Exceptional Job Profile

CCNA certificationswill not only improve your day-to-day skills in the workplace, they’ll also greatly enhance your resume. An improved resume will give you more clout wherever you’re employed.

Moreover, if you’re a networking professional who loves the freelancing lifestyle, you’ll have a much better shot at working with some of the best clients in the industry.

Final Thoughts

So wherever you are on your IT career path, consider obtaining one or more of the CCNA certifications. With a Cisco credential under your belt, you’ll be sure to find your feet firmly planted on an upward journey toward a long-lasting and enjoyable career as a computer networking professional.

]]>How Businesses Can Reduce Energy Expenses During Cold Weatherhttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/08/reduce-energy-expenses-cold-weather/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 00:08:45 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189711The winter of 2017-2018 is proving to be a challenge in many ways. However, businesses throughout the US Northeast are finding ways to keep energy costs down while still being productive. It takes some effort on everyone's part, but it is possible for your business to find ways to keep energy costs under control during the blustery weather of this frosty winter.

The winter of 2017-2018 has brought another polar vortex to the northeastern United States. Record low temperatures inundate the region with icy winds and treacherous weather.

For businesses, the rise in energy rates in response to the colder weather eats into profits. Some businesses are already operating on low profit margins. Therefore, increases in business energy rates could mean serious financial hardships.

Electric companies continue to raise their rates to reflect demand. Meanwhile, other types of businesses can take steps to try and reduce their monthly energy bills. The more a business can save on energy costs, the more money will land on its bottom line during this truly challenging winter.

Seek out Inefficient Windows and Doors

If you have ever stood by one of the doors or windows in your company’s building, you have probably felt a cold draft. That cold draft represents money going out the window.

Therefore, you can lower your energy rates simply by having a contractor come to your office to repair or replace all the insulation around your windows and doors. This is an inexpensive process that should pay for itself quickly. What’s more, it will make your office more comfortable.

Keep up with Routine Maintenance

When the really cold weather sets in, it puts your office and warehouse heating systems to the test. Older systems tend to be less efficient and cost more to operate.

However, routine monthly maintenance on those systems can help to raise their energy efficiency.

Therefore, be sure to have your maintenance team check the heating system regularly and change filters as needed. This will keep your system operating more cost-effectively.

Compare Energy Options

Businesses throughout the New York and New England areas can directly affect their business energy rates by choosing the energy provider that best suits their needs.

Go online and compare the different electric companies. Find the one that offers programs and rates that best fit your needs.

Turn Down the Thermostat

When you want to save money on your energy usage at home, you turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. This is such a good idea that you should also use it at the office.

The difference is that in an office you have a lot more people. Those people all have different opinions about where the office thermostat should be set. However, you can find a happy medium and encourage employees to bundle up for the winter.

Reduce the Hot Water Temperature

Your office probably has several bathrooms with sinks that dispense warm and cold water. Meanwhile, most of your systems that require warmer water, such as research and manufacturing, heat that water with separate equipment.

For the general hot water that flows throughout the building, however, you can save a lot of money by turning the temperature of that water down for the winter.

Use Natural Heat

On sunny days, use the heat from the sun to help heat your offices. Use a special window film to reduce glare while allowing the ultraviolet heat rays from the sun to enter your building. If you can, move everyone who is close to the windows to different work locations. Doing so will avoid problems with heat and glare on sunny days.

Close off Unused Spaces

Many offices have unused spaces that add to the company’s energy bills each month. Find a way to close these areas off to prevent loss.

For example, you could consolidate all of your employees into one area. Bring in room dividers to baffle noises and create more privacy for workers.

Conclusion

The winter of 2017-2018 is proving to be a challenge in many ways. However, businesses throughout the US Northeast are finding ways to keep energy costs down while still being productive. It takes some effort on everyone’s part, but it is possible for your business to find ways to keep energy costs under control during the blustery weather of this frosty winter.

]]>PPM Software: What Is It, and Does Your Business Need to Use It?http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/05/ppm-software-business-need/
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:31:06 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189619Project portfolio management (PPM) is an often-misunderstood component of business planning and overall strategy. It is similar in name to project management (PM). That's why many new entrepreneurs and managers mistake the two for being comparable. However, PM refers to the process of allocating resources to and effectively executing individual projects. In contrast, PPM is the process of determining which projects to take on. Additionally, this process includes allocating the right project managers to be responsible for each project. It also includes organizing timelines, predicting profitability, and keeping all processes in line with the company’s overall goals. The question is, do you really need PPM software to accomplish the responsibilities of a project portfolio manager?

PPM software can lead your small business more reliably toward your company’s long-term goals.

Project portfolio management (PPM) is an often-misunderstood component of business planning and overall strategy. It is similar in name to project management (PM). That’s why many new entrepreneurs and managers mistake the two for being comparable. However, PM refers to the process of allocating resources to and effectively executing individual projects.

In contrast, PPM is the process of determining which projects to take on. Additionally, this process includes allocating the right project managers to be responsible for each project. It also includes organizing timelines, predicting profitability, and keeping all processes in line with the company’s overall goals.

It’s a complicated role. Thankfully, however, new lines of PPM software—like the products offered by Meisterplan—have made it more streamlined and efficient. The question is, do you really need PPM software to accomplish the responsibilities of a project portfolio manager?

Key Responsibilities of PPM

First, let’s explain some of the core responsibilities of a project portfolio manager, or PPM, in contrast with a PM, or project manager:

Project-related strategy. PPM’s are responsible for handling project-related strategy from a high level. For example, they’re the ones who decide which projects to take on, and who should be responsible for overseeing their ground-level execution.

Project prioritization. Another core responsibility of PPM’s is to prioritize projects. They ensure that projects are completed in an order that satisfies all deadlines and achieves high-level organizational goals. For example, a PPM may choose to favor one project over another because it offers more profitability. Or they might choose to work on a particular client’s project, if they expect that client will forward more work in the future. They may also choose a quick project to complete first, if revenue is an urgent priority.

Resource allocation. Depending on the project (and the nature of the organization), PPM’s may also be responsible for allocating resources for various projects. They may work to ensure each project has an appropriate project manager and a sufficient team of people to do the work efficiently. From there, it’s on the PM to delegate tasks and oversee day-to-day operations.

Organizational strategic compliance. PPM’s are ingrained in the culture, values, objectives, and strategies of their respective organizations, since they usually operate at an executive level. Accordingly, they’re responsible for making sure that all projects are accepted, assigned, and completed in a way that aligns with the goals and requirements of the organization.

Project analysis. PPM’s are also responsible for retroactive project analysis. That is, they examine how each project benefited the organization and determine whether there were any missteps that could have been prevented. This is mostly to aid in future decisions.

Main Benefits of PPM Software

So how could PPM software help?

Data management. PPM software keeps the data on all projects in one place, so PPM’s can easily compare two different projects and/or crunch the numbers to ensure they’re making the correct logical decision.

Visual tools. Most modern PPM platforms also offer visual tools, which make it easy for PPM’s to intuitively grasp how each project in the portfolio plays into the bigger picture. It increases their speed of analysis and makes the data more accessible.

Alerts and reminders. Some PPM systems also offer alerts and reminders. That is, they notify PPM’s of incoming projects, upcoming deadlines, or other action-related items. This isn’t strictly necessary but is a valuable organization tool.

Goal tracking. PPM platforms can also help PPM’s keep track of their high-level and project-level goals. They may be useful in communicating those goals to PM’s and other lower-level players for each project.

Reports. Finally, PPM software is useful for generating high-level reports on each project. And they’re a good tool for the portfolio as a whole. That’s because they give a better understanding of things like profitability and resource management.

Is It Really Necessary?

Strictly speaking, it’s not “necessary” to have PPM software, or even to have a specific PPM role within your organization. However, without one, you may not be able to organize your projects efficiently. It might also be harder to maintain a project management process that’s in line with your organization’s core values and goals.

In conclusion, PPM software isn’t absolutely essential for a PPM to be successful. However, it will make their job significantly easier, more transparent, and more measurable. Considering the relatively low cost of adoption, there aren’t many reasons against using it.

]]>How to Use Sales Incentives to Leverage Your B2B Marketing Effortshttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/05/sales-incentives-b2b-marketing/
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:27:02 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189601If you haven't already integrated a sales incentives program with your B2B marketing efforts, you could be missing some important opportunities for sales. To find out more, read on.

How to Use Sales Incentives to Leverage Your B2B Marketing Efforts

If you haven’t already integrated a sales incentives program with your B2B marketing efforts, you could be missing some important opportunities for sales. To find out more, read on.

What Is B2B Marketing?

B2B marketing, or business-to-business marketing, differs from B2C, or business-to-consumer marketing, in a few notable ways.

For example, if you’re marketing to consumers, your sales quite often come about because your product appeals to your customers’ emotions. They either like your product or they don’t. Therefore, if a customer likes something your small business offers and you make it easily available, they’re likely to purchase it right then and there. You might offer sales incentives at this level. For instance, think about the product loyalty card your local coffee shop offers.

With B2B marketing, the sales process generally takes longer, and buyers’ emotions hardly figure in at all. The focus here is on trust and dependability. For these reasons, sales incentives are all the more important at this level.

B2B Marketing Can Be Complex

The sales process for B2B marketing takes place on several levels. For example, your sales person might start by talking with a department head. If the department head likes your product, he or she will discuss it with their manager. However, if the product you offer is an expensive one, the purchase may need approval from someone on the C-suite.

What makes B2B marketing even more complex, though, is that companies are made up of individual people. Not only do you need to get to know the company’s culture, but you also need to nurture your relationships with each of the individuals with whom you interact.

When all is said and done, you might need to nurture a particular lead for months or even years before you finally land that sale.

How Do Sales Incentives Factor In?

Because of the complexity of B2B sales, sales incentive programs are genuinely important in B2B marketing. In order to have a sales incentive program that actually works, though, you need to know your customer.

What does your customer need? How does their company culture affect the way they view your business and your product? And, perhaps most importantly, what problem does your B2B customer have that your product will solve for their business?

And once you’ve done your research, you’ll know more about what your B2B customer needs and what sales incentives will lead them to make their decision sooner—and in your favor.

Sales Incentive Programs: Some Good Ideas

So now, you’re ready to come up with a sales incentive program that will boost your bottom line. What are some sales incentives that you can use in your B2B marketing efforts? The answer to that question depends on what your customers need.

For example, let’s say your product will require training and support. In that case, one sales incentive you could offer might be an add-on package that gives your customer full support throughout their company, as well as ongoing product management. Customizing your product for your B2B customer’s precise needs can be another way to go.

Keep in mind that your B2B contact person will be duty-bound to ask you for a discount. Counter with an add-on package that gives them more value instead.

On the other hand, a channel incentives program based on value or loyalty could push a recalcitrant customer over the line. The returns on your investment in these programs have been proven to be significant. Therefore, it will be worth your time to investigate them.

In simple terms, what happens with a program like this one is that you get to install a customizable catalog of merchandise and rewards on your own website. However, you don’t have to deal with suppliers or distribution. Nor will you have any overhead.

In other words, you can point your B2B customers toward a catalog on your website that’s full of shiny things that will surely appeal to them. And all they have to do in order to shop from your catalog is complete their purchase with you.

Conclusion

Start today to fully integrate a sales incentive program with your B2B marketing efforts. When you do, you’re going to get more sales.

But in order to come up with a sales incentive program that will actually work with your B2B customers, first get to know your customers. Then check out the new opportunities in sales incentive programs for B2B marketing that abound all around the Internet.

About the Author

Carrol Strain is a Top Rated Premium copywriter on Upwork. She is also editor and on-call writer for the Business Opportunities blog.

]]>Divorce and Your Business: Preparing for the Unthinkablehttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/01/divorce-business-preparing-unthinkable/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 04:02:19 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189566So, you’ve built the perfect life. You have a spouse and children. You own a home. And you have been successfully operating your own small business for some time now. When people marry they don't intend to divorce. However, the truth is 40-50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. And, as if divorce weren’t trying enough, things only get more complicated when you and your spouse own a business. Read on for two important ways you can prepare for the unthinkable before it happens.

As a business owner, being prepared for divorce is not a bad thing. It is not telling of what will happen in the future. Nor does it indicate that you love your spouse any less than you should. And it definitely does not make you a bad person.

In fact, protecting your business from a potential divorce is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Plus, it is just a smart business move.

Read on to learn two important ways you can prepare for a divorce. These tips will stand you in good stead even if you and your spouse were to divorce years into your marriage and long after your business has become a success.

1. Keep It Separated

Though this can be difficult, especially if you and your spouse opened up shop together, try your best to keep family matters and business matters separate. After all, business property that is shared and intermingled with your family, your spouse included, can be considered relationship property during divorce proceedings. This means you could lose half of your business in a divorce.

One great way to help prevent this, especially if you started your business before the marriage, is to have a prenuptial agreement in place. In this way, both parties know ahead of time what to expect.

If you have a prenuptial agreement in place, make sure it meets the following conditions:

It is in writing and signed by all involved parties

Each party receives independent legal advice pertaining to the agreement

The document has been signed in the presence of an attorney

Keep in mind that it is crucial to get the help of an experienced law firm, such as Romano Law, P.C., while setting up a prenuptial agreement. The same goes for those times when you are facing divorce.

This is because if at any time during your divorce proceeding the overseeing judge feels the prenuptial agreement was created as an injustice to one party it can be overturned.

Understanding the complex nature of divorces that involve family-owned businesses, the right divorce attorney can help you get what you deserve and defend you against unsavory exes out to cause unnecessary problems.

2. Create a Trust

Typically, when people are divorced, regardless of the state they reside in, all property and assets are split 50/50, unless there is a pre- or postnuptial agreement in place.

That said, you can protect your business from falling victim to the 50/50 rule if you place it in a family trust. This is because once you transfer your business to a family trust, it can no longer be considered “relationship property.” Now, it officially belongs to only you.

With a family trust you can allocate yourself or your children as beneficiaries. This will prevent your losing your business to your spouse. This is especially important if you had your business in place before marriage. Further, it can save you the hassle of fighting it out in court.

Having an experienced family trust attorney to help you with this is critical. However, keep in mind that you cannot establish a family trust in hopes of cheating a spouse out of property or assets that they are legally entitled to.

Take Steps to Protect Your Interests

In the end, protecting your business from divorce can be challenging. This is especially true if you don’t take proactive measures before you or your spouse file the divorce petition. Luckily, with the help of a knowledgeable attorney, such as Michael Romano of Romano Law, P.C., you can receive all the legal counsel you need. Good legal advice will protect your assets, including your business.

]]>15 Essential SEO Practices to Increase Profithttp://www.business-opportunities.biz/2018/02/01/essential-seo-practices/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 04:00:50 +0000http://www.business-opportunities.biz/?p=189557More than 80% of people turn to the Internet with they're looking for products and services they need. What's even more interesting is that 92% of those people never search past the first page. Therefore, you need to improve your business's SEO practices. Only in this way will your business will earn a slot on the first page of Google results. SEO, of course, stands for search engine optimization. The following 15 SEO practices will help your business attract more profits.

More than 80% of people turn to the Internet when they’re looking for products and services they need. What’s even more interesting is that 92% of those people never search past the first page. Therefore, you need to improve your business’s SEO practices. Only in this way will your business will earn a slot on the first page of Google results.

SEO, of course, stands for search engine optimization. The following 15 SEO practices will help your business attract more profits.

1. Improve Your Rankings by Improving Engagement

“Engagement” in this context means capturing users’ attention. In terms of SEO practices, it translates to the amount of time a reader stays on a page. The best way to improve your site’s engagement is to format your posts so that they are easy to read. Additionally, use images throughout your content.

Get SEO services from an Australian company to help you achieve top rankings. Top rankings mean that you will get more traffic to your site. What’s more, increased traffic translates to increased profits.

2. Ensure Your Existing Pages Are Long Enough

Research shows that longer content is more likely to rank higher in SEO. Therefore, since already existing content has more readership, update your existing content to make it longer.

3. Use YouTube

YouTube SEO will boost your page right up to the top of the rankings. All you need to do is make your YouTube videos SEO-friendly. Do this by making videos longer rather than shorter, and use better video thumbnails.

4. Improve Your Site Speed

Improve the speed at which your site launches when a visitor clicks on it. That’s because research shows that users are likely to abandon a page that does not load within 3 seconds.

5. Focus More on Topics than on Keywords

Instead of focusing on keywords, look for different things that users could be searching for. Do this by first identifying your audience and then organizing your content into themes. Additionally, use keywords sparingly, and research them well before you use them.

6. Build Backlinks

Focus on building high-quality backlinks with influencers who offer top-quality content.

7. Rely on Reporting and Analytics

Reporting and analytics are crucial to improving any marketing strategy, including upgrading your SEO practices. For this reason, set up a platform for analytics to help you track your clients’ journey through your marketing and sales funnel.

9. Update Your Local SEO and Listing

Don’t forget that people might still want to pay your business a visit at your physical location. Therefore, take into account your local SEO and any listings. Take a look at your local listings, and make any corrections you need to make.

10. Try Guest Posting

Guest posting is one of those SEO practices that will go a long way toward increasing traffic to your blog. To get started, ask a popular blogger to write a guest post on your blog. Alternatively, you can write your post on that blogger’s space, if they’re amenable to that.

11. Use Unique Title Tags

Ensure that each post has a title that’s unique, even in cases when you are referring to the same products or services in different posts.

12. Coordinate Your Social Media Presence

Coordinate all of your social media platforms so that your business projects a single cohesive image. Additionally, you could ask your site visitors to sign in via Facebook or another platform. This will lead to more sales for your business.

13. Enhance and Improve Content

Ensure that any content you post on your page is readable, attractive, useful, and—above all—actionable.

14. Improve Your Site’s Design and Structure

Make sure your site is well designed and easy for visitors to navigate. One of the best ways of doing this is to reduce to no more than 4 the number of clicks a visitor needs to make in order to move through your site’s pages.

15. Optimize for Rich Answers

Ensure that a search leading to your page yields the answers that a potential client is actually looking for. Consequently, don’t over-stuff your content with keywords. Actually focus on your core business.

In Conclusion

Good SEO practices will help you achieve all of your business goals, including more sales. Give the suggestions here a try and increase your business’s profits.